AN Post RAS – Stage 4

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Kruopis storms to victory after pulsating eight man sprint finish on stage 4 of An Post Rás, Ian Bibby (NFTO) 3rd

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AN Post RAS – Stage 4

Aidis Kruopis of An Post Chain Reaction emerged victorious from a bunch sprint finish to take the stage four win ahead of Italian Davide Vigano (Team IDEA) and Ian Bibby (NFTO) who finished in third. The leading break of eight riders were tightly bunched coming into the final corner with nothing to separate them. Coming out of the bend Kruopis took the initiative and stormed to the front in a daring move that paid off for the Lithuanian.

The top 10 overall now features no less than seven riders with a Britain connection. Joshua Edmondson (AN Post) leads the way in 2nd overall with Madison Genesis rider Martyn Irvine in third. Ryan Mullen of An Post is fourth, Michael Cuming (JLT Condor) 5th Elliott Porter (3M) 6th, Erick Rowsell (Madison Genesis) 7th and Rob Partridge (NFTO) 8th.

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Lots of flowers for NFTO’s Ian Bibby and Rob Partridge after stage 4

THE STAGE

On paper the fourth stage would look relatively straightforward, with no categorised climbs along the 155km route from Bearna to Newport. However, this did not prove to be the case as gusting winds on wide open roads along the Wild Atlantic Way led to tactical racing which ended in an explosive sprint to the line.

An early break by Dominc Jelfs (Madison Genesis) and Eric Johnstone (Canada) set the tone for the day and they established a lead early on but were soon joined by Ian Bibby (NFTO) and Alessandro Pettiti (Team IDEA 2010 ASD).

A chasing group of five riders decided not to allow the leaders get too far ahead and really pushed hard to bridge the gap. They were Clemens Fankhauser (Hrinkow Advarics Cycleangteam), Jeremy Durrin (Neon Velo Cycling Team), Christopher Reilly (Down Nth Graham Powerhouse Sport), Stephen Murray (Cork Strata3/Velorevolution RT) and David Watson (Down Nth Graham Powerhouse Sport). This nine man group formed the lead, up until the 41km mark where they merged with another thirteen riders to bring the lead group up to twenty two men.

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The race ebbed and flowed at this point with the groups becoming fragmented with a lot of stop start racing, with nobody going clear. County rider Ronan McLaughlin (Cork Aquablue) made a number of attacks including a brave move accompanied by Jimmy Janssens , (Team 3M) which extended out to nearly two minutes at its peak. Coming into the final 50km the group dragged them back in. McLaughlin rode a terrific race today and was the first county rider across the finish.

As they race approached Westport and only 10km to go there was a lead group of eight riders, all of which were in with a chance to take the stage four win. This group included last year’s winner Clemens Fankhauser (Hrinkow Advarics) who rode superbly today but just ran out of steam in the final straight.

The excitement was building among the crowd in Newport as news filtered through of the impending sprint finish. The locals burst into sound as they caught a glimpse of the leaders coming around the final bend. At this stage it was all to play for but Aidis Kruopis really put his foot down to propel himself across the line and claim the stage win for An Post Chain Reaction Team.

Kroupis expressed his team’s happiness at the end of the race: “We had a plan today and everything went really well. We got the stage victory and we are delighted, we move up in the GC and also claim the young rider’s jersey so it’s really good”

After today’s results Postlberger retains both the the Yellow and the Points Classification Jerseys, while Ryan Mullen (An Post) leapfrogs Jaap De Mann (Team 3M) to claim the U23 Jersey. Best County Rider (Ian Richardson) and King of the Mountains (Rob Partridge of NFTO) remain unchanged.

Regular updates on this year’s An Post Rás are available on www.anpostras.ie or twitter.com/anpostras.

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STAGE 4

1 Kruopis,Aidis An Post Chain Reaction 3h45’29″
2 Vigano,Davide Team IDEA 2010 ASD
3 Bibby,Ian NFTO
4 Irvine,Martyn Madison Genesis
5 Postlberger,Lukas Tirol Cycling Team
6 Edmondson,Joshua An Post Chain Reaction
7 Mullen,Ryan An Post Chain Reaction
8 Fankhauser,Clemens Hrinkow Advarics Cycling Team @15″
9 Rowsell,Erick Madison Genesis @47″
10 Partridge,Robert NFTO @ s/t
11 Gate,Aaron An Post Chain Reaction @ s/t
12 Frame,Alex NEW ZEALAND National Team @ s/t
13 Cuming,Michael JLT Condor @ s/t
14 Janssens,Jimmy Team 3M @ s/t
15 Porter,Elliott Team 3M @ s/t
16 McLaughlin,Ronan CORK Aquablue @52″
17 Johnstone,Eric CANADA National Team @04’18″
18 Pettiti,Alessandro Team IDEA 2010 ASD @ s/t
19 L’Hermitte,Benjamin Team Pays De Dinan @04’20″
20 Kelly,Robin MAYO Coleman Electronics – T.K.E @ s/t
21 Hawkins,Peter DOWN Nth Graham Powerhouse Sport @ s/t
22 Nulty,Javan MEATH DID Electrical @ s/t
23 Murray,Stephen CORK Strata3/Velorevolution RT @ s/t
24 Journiaux,Axel Team Pays De Dinan @ s/t
25 Malucelli,Matteo Team IDEA 2010 ASD @ s/t
26 Schipflinger,Florian Tirol Cycling Team @ s/t
27 Watson,David DOWN Nth Graham Powerhouse Sport @ s/t
28 Benetseder,Josef Hrinkow Advarics Cycling Team @ s/t
29 de Man,Jaap Team 3M @ s/t
30 Robinson,Hugo Neon Velo Cycling Team @ s/t
31 Durrin,Jeremy Neon Velo Cycling Team @ s/t
32 Richardson,Ian DUBLIN UCD @ s/t
33 McKenna,Sean CORK Aquablue @ s/t
34 Moses,Thomas JLT Condor @ s/t
35 Walsh,Anthony CORK Aquablue @ s/t
36 Clarke,Patrick MAYO Coleman Electronics – T.K.E @ s/t
37 Reilly,Christopher DOWN Nth Graham Powerhouse Sport @ s/t
38 Dunne,Conor An Post Chain Reaction @ s/t
39 Jelfs,Dominic Madison Genesis @ s/t
40 Lacey,Sean CORK Aquablue @ s/t
41 Steurs,Christophe Team 3M @ s/t
42 Aiken,Roger LOUTH Team Asea @ s/t
43 Schoibl,Mario Tirol Cycling Team @04’31″
44 Ryan,Marc NEW ZEALAND National Team @ s/t
45 Murray,Anthony Team Subaru-Albion @08’31″
46 Kergozou,Nicholas NEW ZEALAND National Team @ s/t
47 Bain,Nick NEW ZEALAND National Team @ s/t
48 Lynch,John DUBLIN South Eurocycles @ s/t
49 Schonberger,Sebastian Tirol Cycling Team @ s/t
50 Morgan,Karl ANTRIM Phoenix @ s/t
51 Ryan,Simon LIMERICK Mego RT @ s/t
52 Gesbert,Elie Team Pays De Dinan @ s/t
53 Benhamouda,Mehdi USA Team Novo Nordisk Dev. @ s/t
54 Marie,Rodolphe Team Pays De Dinan @ s/t
55 Daniel,Aurelien Team Pays De Dinan @ s/t
56 Lloyd,Rhys NFTO @ s/t
57 Minting,Alex Neon Velo Cycling Team @ s/t
58 McAuley,Alastair LOUTH Team Asea @ s/t
59 McCrystal,Bryan LOUTH Team Asea @ s/t
60 Hofer,Andreas Hrinkow Advarics Cycling Team @ s/t
61 Dowling,Mark MEATH DID Electrical @ s/t
62 Potts,Marc DOWN Nth Graham Powerhouse Sport @ s/t
63 Montgomery,David Team 3M @ s/t
64 Sheehan,Gary DUBLIN Bikeworx @ s/t
65 Tobin,Ken DUBLIN Bikeworx @ s/t
66 McGrady,Aaron ANTRIM Phoenix @ s/t
67 Aitchison,Keegan Team Subaru-Albion @ s/t
68 Caves,Aidan CANADA National Team @ s/t
69 Holmes,Matthew Madison Genesis @ s/t
70 MacKinnon,Sean CANADA National Team @ s/t
71 Moriaty,Eugene MEATH DID Electrical @ s/t
72 Laverack,Edward JLT Condor @ s/t
73 Molyneaux,Daniel Team Subaru-Albion @ s/t
74 Lewis,James NFTO @ s/t
75 Tizza,Marco Team IDEA 2010 ASD @ s/t
76 Wohrer,David Tirol Cycling Team @ s/t
77 Lawley,Steven Neon Velo Cycling Team @ s/t
78 Brennan,David MAYO Mayo.ie @ s/t
79 Holohan,Liam Madison Genesis @ s/t
80 Grivell-Mellor,Luke JLT Condor @ s/t
81 Duncan,Fraser LOUTH Team Asea @ s/t
82 Stewart,Daniel ANTRIM Phoenix @ s/t
83 Murdoch,Peter Neon Velo Cycling Team @ s/t
84 Morton,Eoin DUBLIN UCD @15’31″
85 Rea,Craig ANTRIM Phoenix @16’06″
86 Millar,Mark CAVAN Velo Cafe Magasin @ s/t
87 Meaney,Richard MAYO Mayo.ie @ s/t
88 McGreevy,James MAYO Mayo.ie @ s/t
89 McClure,Reid USA Team Novo Nordisk Dev. @ s/t
90 Smith,Morgan Team Subaru-Albion @ s/t
91 Shaw,Damien LOUTH Team Asea @ s/t
92 Elliot,William CANADA National Team @ s/t
93 Dolan,Liam DUBLIN UCD @ s/t
94 Hamiliton,David DOWN Nth Graham Powerhouse Sport @ s/t
95 Crean,Kieran CORK Strata3/Velorevolution RT @18’01″
96 Quinn,Colm DOWN Newry Wheelers @23’04″
97 Moynihan,Cathal CORK Aquablue @23’08″
98 O’Connell,Pajoe MAYO Mayo.ie @ s/t
99 Coughlan,David CORK Strata3/Velorevolution RT @ s/t
100 Reilly,Dave DUBLIN South Eurocycles @ s/t
101 McArdle,Brian DUBLIN Orwell Wheelers @ s/t
102 McDonagh,Richard DUBLIN Bikeworx @ s/t
103 O’Connell,Keith MAYO Mayo.ie @ s/t
104 Woods,Des DOWN Newry Wheelers @ s/t
105 Hughes,Keith DUBLIN Bikeworx @ s/t
106 Hodge,John WATERFORD Dungarvan Minnies @ s/t
107 Ahern,Michael WATERFORD Dungarvan Minnies @ s/t
108 Prendergast,Jason MAYO Coleman Electronics – T.K.E @ s/t
109 Kirwan,Peter DUBLIN Lucan Stagg Cycles @ s/t
110 McCormack,Gareth DOWN Newry Wheelers @ s/t
111 Hudson,Neal DUBLIN Orwell Wheelers @ s/t
112 Loftus,Alan LIMERICK Mego RT @ s/t
113 Travers,Damian WATERFORD Dungarvan Minnies @ s/t
114 Henry,Joe CAVAN Velo Cafe Magasin @ s/t
115 Sheils,Gary CAVAN Velo Cafe Magasin @ s/t
116 MacAodha,Nigel CAVAN Velo Cafe Magasin @ s/t
117 Laverty,Colm MEATH Martin Donnelly/Fast Shipping @ s/t
118 Blennerhassett,Tom DUBLIN Orwell Wheelers @ s/t
119 Radley,Mark WATERFORD Dungarvan Minnies @ s/t
120 Flavin,Marcus WATERFORD Dungarvan Minnies @ s/t
121 O’Regan,Tim MEATH DID Electrical @ s/t
122 McMahon,Hugh CORK Strata3/Velorevolution RT @ s/t
123 Doggett,Niall MEATH Martin Donnelly/Fast Shipping @ s/t
124 Cox,Stuart MEATH Martin Donnelly/Fast Shipping @ s/t
125 Coleman,Bobby LIMERICK Mego RT @ s/t
126 Featherstone,Sean DOWN Newry Wheelers @ s/t
127 Cunningham,Derek DUBLIN Bikeworx @ s/t
128 Saidov,Ulugbek USA Team Novo Nordisk Dev. @ s/t
129 Killeen,Ronan DUBLIN Lucan Stagg Cycles @ s/t
130 Mudgway,Luke NEW ZEALAND National Team @ s/t
131 Kenny,Shane LIMERICK Mego RT @ s/t
132 O’Hagan,Niall CAVAN Velo Cafe Magasin @ s/t
133 Leonard,Michael DUBLIN Lucan Stagg Cycles @ s/t
134 Barras,Tom NFTO @ s/t
135 McCarthy,David JLT Condor @ s/t
136 Cowan,Alexander CANADA National Team @ s/t
137 Meehan,Andrew MEATH DID Electrical @ s/t
138 Rooney,Fergus ANTRIM Phoenix @ s/t
139 Mueller,Andreas Hrinkow Advarics Cycling Team @ s/t
140 Staunton,Robert CORK Strata3/Velorevolution RT @ s/t
141 Butler,Michael DUBLIN Orwell Wheelers @ s/t
142 Hrinkow,Dominik Hrinkow Advarics Cycling Team @ s/t
143 Lawless,James DUBLIN South Eurocycles @23’25″
144 Campbell,Daragh USA Team Novo Nordisk Dev. @25’02″
145 Nicholls,Mark DUBLIN Lucan Stagg Cycles @39’50″
146 Dwyer,Niall DUBLIN UCD @ s/t
147 O’Brien,Dick DUBLIN Orwell Wheelers @ s/t
148 Robinson,Colin MEATH Martin Donnelly/Fast Shipping @ s/t
149 Breheny,Joseph DUBLIN UCD @ s/t

OVERALL

1 Postlberger,Lukas Tirol Cycling Team 14h46’13″
2 Edmondson,Joshua An Post Chain Reaction @01’05″
3 Irvine,Martyn Madison Genesis @01’43″
4 Mullen,Ryan An Post Chain Reaction @01’49″
5 Cuming,Michael JLT Condor @01’50″
6 Porter,Elliott Team 3M @01’52″
7 Rowsell,Erick Madison Genesis
8 Partridge,Robert NFTO @03’10″
9 Gate,Aaron An Post Chain Reaction @04’35″
10 de Man,Jaap Team 3M @05’24″
11 Richardson,Ian DUBLIN UCD @05’25″
12 Benetseder,Josef Hrinkow Advarics Cycling Team
13 Fankhauser,Clemens Hrinkow Advarics Cycling Team @07’02″
14 Kruopis,Aidis An Post Chain Reaction @07’32″
15 Frame,Alex NEW ZEALAND National Team @07’34″
16 Steurs,Christophe Team 3M @07’36″
17 Janssens,Jimmy Team 3M @07’37″
18 Bibby,Ian NFTO @08’01″
19 Journiaux,Axel Team Pays De Dinan @09’27″
20 Schipflinger,Florian Tirol Cycling Team
21 McKenna,Sean CORK Aquablue
22 Moses,Thomas JLT Condor
23 L’Hermitte,Benjamin Team Pays De Dinan @10’49″
24 Dunne,Conor An Post Chain Reaction
25 Schonberger,Sebastian Tirol Cycling Team @10’58

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